Others go to excess in venerating them and regard this path as one of the most perfect and exalted. The sound assessment is that they exercised independent judgment in these acts of worship and spiritual states, just as their neighbours in Kufa exercised independent judgment in matters of adjudication, governance and the like. Among the latter there arose forms of reasoned opinion involving departures from the Sunnah that most people condemned. The best among the “scholars of jurisprudence and reasoned opinion” fall into two extremes regarding those Kufans. Some censure them excessively, while others go to excess in exalting them, considering them more knowledgeable in jurisprudence than anyone else, and sometimes even preferring them to the Companions. Likewise, those who go to excess regarding those devout worshippers may prefer them to the Companions. This is an issue over which people become divided.

The correct approach is for the Muslim to know that the best speech is Allah’s speech, the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the best generation is the generation among whom he was sent. The best paths and ways leading to Allah are those followed by him and his Companions. It should also be understood that believers must fear Allah according to their best efforts and capacity, as Allah Most High says:

“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”

And he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: